Cottage cheese or paneer, is a protein-rich option that helps one keep full, while also providing essential nutrients during long fasting periods – where chances of other plant and animal-based protein sources might be restricted. Due to its versatility, cooking with paneer creates a sense of flexibility with fasting-friendly meals, without deviating from dietary restrictions. The high fat content in paneer allows one to get a sustained source of energy throughout the course of a fasting day, without feeling a slump or drained once the austerity is complete. For Utpanna Ekadashi, try your hand at attempting one of these seven delicious recipes that will keep you going through the day.
Vrat Vaale Paneer Sabzi
Put a fasting spin on your favourite paneer sabzi by retaining the tangy tomato base, without the onion, garlic and a few spices. This simple preparation makes for an ideal side dish to eat with vrat ke roti, parathe or sama ke chawal. While the concept of a fast might be to abstain from food for the most part, those who find themselves working or undertaking plenty of physical activity during the day, are sure to appreciate a substantial meal that falls within the parameters of what’s appropriate to eat during the time.
Vrat Ke Pakode
If the shallow-fried cutlets is not something you find yourself enjoying as much, make a simple batter using singhada flour, salt, green chillies and coriander – to dip cubes of paneer into. Fry these battered cubes in hot oil, until golden-brown and serve with a side of chutney. These pakodas are also excellent when eaten with a homemade, vrat-friendly tomato chutney or ketchup; and even tastier eaten straight out of the fryer.
Falahari Tikka
Image Credits: Archana's Kitchen
Why deprive yourself of a tasty snack while fasting when you can easily make these paneer and pineapple skewers at home? Coat plump cubes of paneer in some rajgira flour, flavoured with a handful of fasting-approved spices and alternate with chunks of juicy pineapples – before grilling on a pan. The combination of soft paneer and firm pineapple provides a savoury-sweet medley of flavour; squeeze a generous amount of lemon on top for your tikka to burst with flavour.
Grilled Paneer Salad
If you imagined salads to be reserved for non-fasting days, then think again! Fresh cottage cheese, grilled to perfection until it develops a crispy exterior, placed on a bed of sliced cucumber and tomatoes are great on its own. Drizzle a light dressing made with honey, lemon juice, kala namak and a pinch of chaat masala to enhance the flavours and bring alive your meal that can be enjoyed for lunch or dinner.
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Rajgira Paneer Paratha
Winter meals are incomplete without hefty parathas stuffed with grated cottage cheese. Make a dough with rajgira (amaranth) flour and roll it out, before stuffing with a savoury mixture of paneer and cooking on a hot pan, with lots of ghee. Serve these parathas on their own or with some fresh yoghurt. Don’t miss out on the pickle and simply soak some carrot sticks in vinegar, to get a note of sour flavour – akin to achaar.
Sweet Potato-Paneer Roll
A recipe that is perfect for weight-watchers and fitness enthusiasts – air frying cubed sweet potatoes and paneer, until they develop crispy edges and a brown hue, stuffing into a rajgira roti with a drizzle of green chutney is synonymous with heaven in each bite. These fibre-dense and protein packed rolls are perfect to pack for a lunchbox, eat after a workout or even for a lunch-on-the-go.
Paneer Cutlets
Image Credits: Tasted Recipes
A child-friendly recipe of mashed potato and paneer, shaped into oblong cutlets – these paneer cutlets are ideal to enjoy with a fresh green chutney. Use the leftovers to stuff into rajgira parathas or puris to make delicious rolls that can be enjoyed during the evenings. With minimal ingredients and basic flavours, these paneer cutlets are sure to be a repeat dish every single time you choose to observe a fast through the year.